ZA/UM, the studio behind the critically lauded RPG "Zero Parades: For Dead Spies," has announced significant layoffs impacting up to 32 staff members. The studio shared the news on social media, citing the game's commercial performance as the reason it can no longer sustain its current employee count. The announcement was made via the studio's Bluesky account on July 17.
"Throughout this difficult process, we have continued to consult and work with representatives of the ZA/UM Workers' Alliance," the studio stated in its announcement. "This changes the shape of ZA/UM, but not its purpose. Our artistic standards remain unchanged: We will persist."
"Zero Parades: For Dead Spies," released in May 2026 for PC with a PlayStation 5 version planned for later this year, is an isometric espionage role-playing game. It follows the story of Hershel Wilk, an operative tasked with uncovering the secrets of her past. The game received a positive reception from critics, earning an 8/10 from GameSpot and an aggregate score of 83 on Metacritic.
This development places ZA/UM among a growing list of studios experiencing workforce reductions in 2026. The games industry has seen numerous closures and layoffs this year, including significant staff cuts at Xbox, Full Circle, Riot Games, and the closure of Bluepoint Games by Sony.